And Where Does Your Treasure Lie..?

"Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; Where your treasure is, there is your heart; Where your heart is, there is your happiness."  - Augustine

It's easy to get swept up in our lives full of all the wonderful things it has to offer. So much so, that the most fundamental things can be forgotten, or even lost. Unfortunately, for many, poverty, affliction, and temptations to worldliness and indulgence in carnal or sensual pleasures rule and ruin lives.

Jesus Christ, attempted on several occasions, through his teachings, to get this point across to those who would listen to him. Even so, many mocked him for this. This shouldn't surprise us. There are plenty out there who do the same thing now. People haven't changed that much over the ages.

The Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar in Luke 16: 19-31, gives us a glimpse at what lies ahead for those who refuse to be reconciled to the dangerous trap of the corrupted world we live in (1 Timothy 6:9-11). Is it a sin to be wealthy and successful? Not at all. Neither does Our Heavenly Father make no promises, or bargains concerning this (Jeremiah 29:11).

Similarly, he does not make one poor, or suffer in order to dole out punishment for something or other. As a matter of fact, God's people may be rich or poor. There are no criteria specifying the condition of one's financial situation as a requirement for a room in His house.

However, one thing Jesus did try to clarify, as was so vividly illustrated in this parable, is that those who are blessed with wealth or means, have a responsibility to share it with others who are less fortunate (1 John 3:17). In other words, spread it around and do some good with it.

I am very much aware that this is a touchy subject for a lot of folks, but God never said he would make things easy for you! After all, it's not a cinch to get into His kingdom (Acts 14:22). But nothing worth the trouble and effort ever is.

The sharing of wealth can include many things besides "monetary" wealth. Wealth may be  other things such as generosity and compassion, for example. Is it better to be rich or poor? Well, it depends on who you talk to, and where they have been in their earthly journey. But keep this in mind: it is us who make a big deal out of it, not God (Matthew 6:19-21).

But before we get too far off the path here, let me steer us back on track. All of this discussion about money, or the lack thereof, and sharing the wealth, or not, isn't the crux of the matter. Are we (that's you and I) doing all we can in order to carry out His work on earth? Distractions in whatever shape or form impede us from doing so.

The most important thing in our lives should always be God. Always! Our journey through this life is short, and growing shorter by the hour. As we saw with the rich man and Lazarus, by the time they left this temporary home their rewards were already set! There are no "do-overs" for the life you have now. Friends, I urge you to use it wisely. Use it for God's purpose (Matthew 5:14-16).

Scripture: Mark 8:36; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 17:5; Mark 10:25

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for the many blessings You have given me. Fill my heart with your love and compassion that I may use what You have provided to help those who are lacking. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey